The public comment period for a U.S. Navy testing program in the Pacific Ocean has been extended to April 13 to allow for additional input. Because of the continued public interest, the Navy extended the period for comments on the Northwest Training Complex Draft Environmental Impact Statement one month beyond March 11. Because the period would end on a weekend, the public comment period is extended through April 13.

The DEIS examines the potential environmental effects of the Navy’s proposal for expanding ocean and land-based operations by conducting underwater demolitions, electronic communications and testing explosives and surveillance systems.

The extension came to light last week after residents in potentially affected areas wrote letters and spoke to Congressman Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley) about their concerns. In a statement released Tuesday from Washington D.C., Thompson said, “I’m pleased that after I met with the Navy, they agreed to extend the public comment period and allow everyone more time to weigh in. The Navy will come to Mendocino and hold a public meeting to hear concerns and answer questions from the community. I’ve asked the Navy and fishing organizations to look more closely at the impact this proposal will have on ocean wildlife and fishing families.”